The National University of Singapore (NUS) recently celebrated its longstanding association with Japan by holding a Japanese cultural evening at the NUS Museum for the Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Makoto Yamanaka, and representatives from the Japanese business community and local companies with Japanese links.

Hosted by Vice Provost (Student Life), Professor Tan Tai Yong, and Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies, “A Japanese Evening at NUS” served to highlight the strength of NUS’ Japanese Cultural Studies programme as well as the support provided by the Japanese community in Singapore through scholarships, lecture programmes and cultural exchanges.

In his welcome speech, Prof Tan thanked the Japanese for their commitment to NUS and said: “I am convinced that NUS and the Japanese community will continue to be good partners in promoting education and international relations in Asia. Let us continue to chart new directions for the expansion of bi-lateral ties and work together on a new Asian era of enduring prosperity and peace.”

The evening featured a concert by the award-winning NUS Guitar Ensemble, the region’s first Japanese Niibori guitar orchestra, as well as Japanese cuisine. There was also a private tour of the Museum’s exhibition of works by Singaporean artist Cheong Soo Pieng.

The NUS Department of Japanese Studies was founded in 1981 to produce innovative research on Japan and develop new approaches to the understanding of Japan in Asia and the world. More than 2,000 undergraduate students study courses offered by the Department every year. NUS also has knowledge exchanges through joint collaborations such as the Keio-NUS CUTE Centre, a full scale international research centre focused on developing digital communications and interactive new media between Keio University and NUS.